Getting a Signature Fragrance.

As far back as I can remember, my dad has had three signature fragrances; Old Spice, Polo Green, and Aramis. They all have strong scents in common, and they last.

Like my dad, you should know what you want in a signature fragrance as people will come to associate you with it.

Finding the perfect fragrance  isn’t a walk in the park however, as its not just about picking a nice smelling perfume. A perfume could smell really good in the bottle and even when sprayed in the air, but smell quite differently when sprayed on your skin.

So here are a few tips on choosing a perfume that will be your signature fragrance.

Know your preferred scent. There are about four categories of perfume scents: FRESH (citrus, marine, green grass/leaves), Floral (rose, gardenia, jasmine) WOODY (woods and moss), and ORIENTAL (spices, vanilla, patchouli). So if you do not like floral scents, you will not want to wear a gardenia perfume.

Utilise your sense of smell. Go to a perfume counter and ask the sales associate to try some of the perfumes. Try as many as four perfumes, spraying a different one on each wrist, and inner elbow. Don’t make a decision just yet, leave the store and walk around for a good 30 minutes or so to give time for the scents to mix with your body chemistry. Write down the names of the fragrances on each corresponding inner elbow and wrist so you don’t forget what scent is where. Avoid spraying your neck and behind your ears, as you will not be able to accurately judge the scents there.

Ask for opinions. When walking around ask for opinions. A fragrance only you approves of won’t do much good. The look of disgust on people you stand next to on the way to work can easily put a dent in your confidence.

Also, hunt around for the best price. You’ll probably find that department stores have the highest prices. With that in mind you can save money by purchasing your fragrance through an outlet mall. Usually anything purchased at an outlet mall is a little bit cheaper. So it might make the fragrance you are seeking for, a little more affordable.

Finding a signature fragrance could take a while, but its definitely worth the journey.

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London Fashion Week round up…part 2.

Alfred Dunhill

Burberry Prorsum.

David Koma

 

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London Fashion Weekend

Judging from the turnout at this years London Fashion Weekend, with an average of about 500 people per show, it was a success. From designs inspired by the black swan movie, to no-nonsense summer day wear, every designer had something to offer. Sharp tailoring and subtle designs made up a beautifully managed show with all the quality but less of the pizzazz. Enjoy.

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London Fashion Week round up in pictures…part 1.

Paul Costelloe

Jean-Pierre Braganza

Mulberry

Paul Smith

TOPMAN.

JAMES LONG

Mr Start

Christopher Shannon

J. W. Anderson

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HATS…ways to pull them off.

Hats are one of my personal favourite accessory pieces of all time. Apart from the fact that they add flavour to your outfit, they are also very versatile and can be worn in any season, providing warmth for your head in the cold periods and shade in the sunny ones.

There are as many reasons to wear hats as there are hat types, the important thing to remember when wearing one, is that like clothes, they should fit. Fit your head, the outfit your’e matching it with, the season and the occasion. One would look rather silly wearing a bespoke suit with brogue shoes and a knitted hat, to a summer wedding.

Another great thing about hats, be it a fedora, top hat or a drivers hat is that, they can be used to tone down a formal attire or smarten up an other wise casual or even sloppy look, giving it that casual/smart twist.

Also, when wearing a hat, you should consider the shape of your face. A person with a long oval face should wear a hat with a short brim. While a rounded faced person should opt for a hat with a wider brim.

As for colours, you might want to keep it neutral. Remember it is an accessory so it should be there to compliment your outfit.

At the end of the day though, as with any outfit put together, the confidence with which its worn is just as important as the pieces. No matter how well put together your outfit is, if you don’t carry it with the right attitude, it’ll seem flawed.

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For Accessories sake.

I have recently been asked about accessories quite a bit. How to wear them, what type to wear, what to wear them with, and even if certain pieces, a bow tie for instance can be worn as an accessory.

So I have decided that over the next few posts I will focus on accessories and shed as much light as I know on it. However before then, there are certain pointers I think should be known about accessories and wearing them, or as I like to say ‘learn the rules, then learn how to break them’.

With that said, keep this in mind before and when wearing accessories.

The ‘job’ of accessories is to detail your outfit, giving it character and depth, and making you stand out. Its said that details is what makes the gentleman, but what should also be said it that too many details could easily ruin your look. There are outfits and occasions where accessories would be complimentary, but you can also look as good without wearing any accessory. Yes accessories are great, I have quite a collection myself, but don’t feel the need to always wear some form of accessory when you dress up.

When accessorizing, there isn’t a specific amount to wear, but to be safe one or two pieces is standard, three is a maybe. Anything more HAS TO BE DONE TASTEFULLY. Remember accessories are meant to spice up your look, not be the spice of your look.

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EDITION, new design concept by Debenhams

Debenhams new collection, EDITION is a design concept created in collaboration with contemporary designers, such as Jonathan Saunders, famed for his signature prints and use of bold colours. The fashion duo Preen, best known for their sophisticated yet edgy style with both masculine and feminine aspects. Shoes, bags and accessories are by Jonathan Kelsey, which is definitely something to look out for, as his impressive repertoire  includes designing for Jimmy Choo, Mulberry and Pucci.

EDITION launches in stores and online on the 14TH of February.

From the red carpet at the SAG awards.

Natalie Portman in Azzaro

January Jones in Carolina Herrera

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

Angie Harmon in Monique Lhuillier

Claire Danes in Louis Vuitton

Christina Hendricks in L’Wren Scott

Dianna Agron in Chanel

Eva Longoria in Georges Hobeika Couture

Mila Kunis in McQueen

Amy Adams in Hervé Leroux

Hilary Swank in Versace

Winona Ryder in Alberta Ferretti

Jennifer Lawrence in Oscar de la Renta

Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta

Valentine’s day special.

The British accessory designer Anya Hindmarch has created a limited edition clutch bag especially for Valentine’s Day. The dusky pink suede with chic pale gold hardware clutch comes with a card in the inner pocket with the bag’s number in the edition, as well as space for a personal message, should you choose to gift it to your loved one.

This Limited Edition Marano costing £350 is available at the Bond Street, Sloane Street and Harrods store as well as online at anyahindmarch.com.

Getting to know Esquire’s best dressed real man in America 2010, Fan favourite.

Recently got a hold of Mr Sabir Peele, and and was granted an interview, but before going on to that, here’s his brief biography.

Sabir M. Peele is a guy from North Philadelphia with a passion for quality men’s style. Not a trust fund kid or lottery winner, Sabir has made his way through life using his quick acquisition of knowledge and ability to work hard. Sabir writes articles for the Examiner.com as the Philadelphia Men’s Style Examiner. Finding some style success as being named the winner of the King of Prussia Mall style contest in 2008, as well as national acclaim for being named one of Esquire Magazines 5 “Best Dressed Real Men in America 2010” (being named the fan favorite for this contest too).

What trends do you see being big for 2011?

I feel that colored chinos and boat shoes will be big this season going into the spring and winter. Boat shoes made a huge splash last year but some people were hesitant about purchasing them. So look out because Sperry sales should be on the rise and other companies have taken to the boat shoe market as well. In the world of colored chinos, men will be more apt to trying a color outside of the grey and blue range this year. I am forecasting a spike in sell of lighter blues, greens and yellows in the chino world.

You seem pretty knowledgable about mens fashion. Are you as knowledgeable with womens fashion?

To be honest I know little about womens fashion. I know some designers but overall I know when a woman looks great. When a women is beaming with confidence and her clothes fit well that’s good enough for me.

Being fan favourite means if it were up to the fans, you’d probably have won the competition, thats huge. Do you ever get worried or frustrated when you walk out the door that maybe your look or outfit might put a dent in the title, even if its just for that day?

You know what, being fan favourite is a huge honor and I don’t really feel pressure to make sure I am impeccably dressed when I step out of the door. I generally dress with my sense of style that translate well. When I get dressed to just run errands, my style is pretty casual with some infusion of “dapper” style, but, never overboard.

If you had to give one piece of advice to a man wishing to become stylish, what would it be?

Get to know your actual size. Men are afraid to have their clothes fit well because they think it is too feminine. Find a good tailor and get measured. Also, learn some of the general style rules and adopt a few to stick to, once you have them down to a science break them some. You will get some great style ideas once you learn how to break the style rules.

What is your favourite fashion season?

I do really enjoy the fall. When the season calls for a blazer I think it is the best time of the year. Early spring has the same clothing affect for me but with less layers.

What style mistakes do you wish you could change in most men?

Square toed shoes and skinny jeans are style mistakes I wish i could change for people. I feel that skinny jeans should be left for women and square toed shoes should be for place-kickers.

With all your fashion knowledge, why not work in the fashion industry?

I have thought about a career in men’s fashion/style but I am not sure what facet. I do enjoy working in higher education so I am satisfied with my career at the moment. We will see what I have in the works in the near future, so stay tuned.

Tell us five style mistakes you have made over the years.

Back in the day I wore square toed shoes (but someone else was paying and I was young).
– Baggy jeans. Can’t forget that I grew up in Philly and that was the style.
– Oversized stud earrings.
– Jeans with way to much embroidering.
– Thinking I could wear any suit jacket with jeans.

Apart from your daily occupation as a counsellor, you are also a style consultant, how are you able to juggle the two and still have time for leisure?

Really, I just use every hour of my day. I am not tied down to the style side but it is a passion so when I am putting effort into it I go full force when need. A big part of my style is leisure. So to keep myself sane I have to have a leisure side to my life. For everyone life is a juggling act and I guess I juggle well.

How would you describe your style, and why pick that over all the rest?

Personally, I feel that my style is business chic. I mix a lot of elements from different Italian & English style into my everyday business looks as well as my leisure looks. In picking this style over the rest I feel that it best represents me with my business minded nature and sense of classic worldly style elements.

What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to being stylish?

Weakness: I am still getting my fits down. I come from an athletic background (Track & Field athlete for 13 years) which makes my body sometimes difficult to fit 100%.

What do you think of trainers/sneakers? Do you wear them?

– I love sneakers and trainers. I grew up on Jordans and other basketball sneakers. As I got older ive moved more into Drivers and Canvas trainers. If you see my most recent post on www.MensStylePro.com you will see a pair of canvas Lands End tennis trainers that I swear by.